Metal Accumulation in the Shell and Soft Tissues of Chinese Mysterysnails

Abstract:

Invasive species threaten non-native habitats by outcompeting native species, disrupting food chains, and reducing biodiversity. The Chinese mysterysnail (Cipangopaludina chinensis) was introduced to the Great Lakes region in the 1930s and 1940s and is now considered an invasive species. In addition to the classic adverse effects of invasive species, mysterysnails also accumulate toxic metals that can affect native ecosystems into which they have invaded. As a self-preservation mechanism, snails can transfer most acquired metals into their shells away from important organs, but relative allocation of metals to shells versus various soft tissues is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to determine how the concentrations of metals differ between the shell and soft tissues of the Chinese mysterysnail. To determine the distribution of metals within these snails, we collected snails, water, and sediment samples at documented invasion sites ‘Presque Isle, Pymatuning, Lake Canadohta, and Lake Pleasant‘ in May, June, and July of 2021. Lab-work consisted of the dissecting snails to separate the shell and internal organs (gonad, mantle, foot, gut) and quantifying metal concentrations in water, sediment, and tissue samples. To date, all snails have been dissected and environmental samples digested for metal analysis. Plans for the continuation of the experiment involve acid digestion of tissue and shell samples, as well as metal quantification analysis. Understanding the concentration of metals in the different tissues of mysterysnails will help understand how their physiology influences their ability to respond to contamination and what additional threats they pose to native species. This information can aid in developing management plans for mysterysnails in the Great Lakes region, especially regarding the species’ ability to accumulate and sequester toxic metals.